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Air traffic controllers pleased to see furloughs send, but still concerned about larger problem

By: , Reporter

Published On: Apr 28 2013 03:02:02 AM CDT

FORT SMITH, Ark. -

Travelers could be seeing fewer delays at the airport after Congress signed in new legislation ending the FAA furloughs.

The legislation signed into effect on Friday will put all of the FAA’s furloughed employees back to work.

“Delays reached five to six hours in some places,” said John Bratcher. “Delays are supposed to be 15 minutes, and delays because of controller staffing rose up to three hours.”

Bratcher works as an air traffic controller and is a leader for the local Air Traffic Controller’s Association.

Bratcher said he is pleased Congress has ended the furloughs, but still remains concerned. He says this is just the beginning of solving a much larger problem.

"We're glad to be back to work," said Bratcher. "We want to work on airplanes, and it's a good thing to happen. But, it only fixes things until October. Next year, we're still in sequestration. Furloughs are still going to be a possibility for controllers and other aviation professionals."

Rep. Tom Cotton said closing nearly 150 air traffic control towers across the country could create even more problems for travelers.

“These airports handle almost 30 percent of all aviation traffic, providing vital relief to some of our most congested airports,” said Cotton to other members of Congress earlier this week. “The importance of these towers cannot be overstated.”

The FAA plans on closing 149 air traffic control towers beginning June 15.

There are two towers scheduled to be closed in Arkansas: Drake Field in Fayetteville and Texarkana-Regional in Texarkana.

Cotton is asking other members of Congress to support legislation that would keep those towers open.

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